SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A city board on Thursday gave a Muslim group the go-ahead to remove six crosses from the roof and spires of a century-old former Catholic church so the now-vacant Gothic structure can be used as a mosque.

More than 200 people had signed an online petition calling on the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board to deny an application by North Side Learning Center, the church’s new owner, to remove the crosses and build a six-foot chain-link fence.

Before the vote to allow the church alterations, Chairman Don Radke said the board cannot interfere with a decision that involves religious freedom.

Why the fuss?
The Church sold the building so it is no longer a Catholic Church.
The people who bought it went through the proper channels to make the change and the request was granted.
I don’t see the problem.

I do see a problem with the comment about turning the removed crosses into “shrapnel”.
Even if meant “tongue-in-cheek” it is in poor taste and less than an “Agape” reaction.

I also see why people in the area - long time residents and former parishioners - would be disappointed at having the landmark altered.